“This is a time when you have to be very careful because the fog of war is quite real. And it’s all true, but nothing is real if it makes any sense, “Wittert said in part. “Formally, there is a real invasion. Here is a real fog of war. And I think that in the next 12-24 hours we will see that the Ukrainians are really aware of the predominant nature of Russian military power. ”
Unleashing Moscow’s most aggressive actions since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, President Vladimir Putin has shied away from global condemnation and new sanctions – and has hated his country’s nuclear arsenal. He threatened any foreign country trying to thwart “consequences you have never seen.”
Ukrainian authorities have described ground invasions in several regions, and border guards released security camera footage Thursday showing a line of Russian military vehicles moving into Ukrainian-administered territory from Russia’s annexed Crimea.
The Russian military has said it has destroyed all of Ukraine’s air defenses in a matter of hours, and European authorities have declared the country’s airspace a zone of active conflict. It was not possible to immediately verify Russia’s claims, as well as the Ukrainian ones, that they shot down several Russian planes. Wiert warned of the possibility of misinformation and the possibility of rapid escalation if the worldview turns to Ukraine.
“You have the second largest, most dangerous army in the world, the Russian army, the largest land army in the world involved in this massive operation. They are bombing and taking Ukrainian targets very close to the Polish border. That’s where the US and NATO troops are, “Wittert said. “Therefore, the probability of miscalculation here during the escalation is very high. It’s very easy to start a war. ”
Putin portrayed today’s Ukraine as a modern construction that the West uses to deter Russia, despite inseparable neighborly ties. Putin used these arguments as a justification for the attacks on Ukraine.
The relationship between Ukraine and Russia have been developing for more than 20 years since Ukraine has become its nation. Of those born after the declaration of independence in 1991, 87% consider themselves Ukrainians, and 21% of those born before 1991 call themselves “Soviet people.” But it depends on the region – 80% of Western Ukrainians want to be economically tied to the EU against only 26% in eastern Ukraine.
In this image, taken from a video published by the press service of the President of Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the people in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine on Thursday, when Putin rejected international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to intervene would lead to “consequences you have never seen.” (Press service of the President of Russia via AP)
People line up to withdraw money from an ATM in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. The Ukrainian Border Guard Service said that the Russian military attacked a country from neighboring Belarus. The agency reported that Russian troops launched artillery fire as part of an attack with the support of Belarus. (AP Photo / Jafrem Lukacki)
On Thursday, February 24, 2022, from Kiev, Ukraine, there are traffic jams. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to thwart Russia’s actions would lead to “consequences you have never seen.” (AP Photo / Emilia Morenati)
People go to the subway to take the train when leaving Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempts to intervene in Russia actions will lead to “consequences you have never seen”. (AP Photo / Emilia Morenati)
People pass by the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (AP Photo / Jafrem Lukacki)
People stand near fragments of military equipment on the street after an apparent Russian strike in Kharkiv in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (AP Photo / Andrei Marienko)
A man and a woman stand next to fragments of military equipment on the street after an apparent Russian strike in Kharkiv in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (AP Photo / Andrei Marienko)
On Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Ukrainian military facility near Mariupol, Ukraine, damaged radar, vehicle and equipment are visible. On Thursday morning, Russia launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine, and Ukrainian officials said Russian troops had launched an offensive. to a country from the north, east, and south. (Photo by AP / Sergey Grits)
On Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Ukrainian military facility near Mariupol, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, damaged radar gratings and other equipment are visible. On Thursday, Russia launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine, and Ukrainian officials said Russian troops had entered the country from the north, east and south. (Photo by AP / Sergey Grits)
In this handout, taken from a video provided by the press service of the President of Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the people of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022 Zelensky declared martial law, saying that Russia aimed at Ukraine’s military infrastructure . He urged Ukrainians to stay at home and not panic. (Press service of the President of Ukraine via AP)
Locals are waiting to buy water in a store during a water outage in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (AP Photo / Emilia Morenati)
On Thursday, February 24, 2022, smoke rises from the air defense base after a clear Russian strike on Mariupol, Ukraine. Russian troops have launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (Photo by AP / Eugene Malaletka)
The Ukrainian military route is on fire on the basis of air defense after a clear Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (Photo by AP / Eugene Malaletka)
A woman and her daughter are waiting for a train as they try to leave at a train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (AP Photo / Emilia Morenati)
A woman reacts when waiting for a train trying to leave Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (AP Photo / Emilia Morenati)
The dog stands like a Ukrainian soldier walking through an air defense base after Russia’s apparent strike on Mariupol, Ukraine, on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian troops launched an expected attack on Ukraine. Before dawn, big bombings erupted in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the start of a Russian invasion that could lead to mass casualties and overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. (Photo by AP / Eugene Malaletka)
Police inspect territory after Russia’s apparent strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere in Russia’s actions would lead to “consequences you’ve never seen it. ” (AP Photo / Emilia Morenati)
Earlier, Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Witter said the attacks in Ukraine were not a repeat of 2014.
“History doesn’t necessarily repeat itself, but it rhymes. The excuse is a little different in the sense that Russia says that the people in the red zone are ethnically Russian, and asked for protection of the Russian military from Ukrainian aggression, “Wittert said.Morning in America. “So, in a sense, so what do we think based on how the Russian military works, and we see that this map is more about Russian attacks, that the Russians are doing a lot more than if they just wanted to occupy red zone. Of course, there is a desire to punish the Ukrainian military. ”
Putin continued this narrative Thursday afternoon in circulation, accusing Russia of invading NATO’s alleged eastward invasion, calling them a “fundamental threat.”
“It is a fact that for the last 30 years we have patiently tried to agree with the leading NATO countries on the principles of equal and indivisible security in Europe,” Putin said. “In response to our offer, we have invariably faced either cynical deception and lies, or attempts at pressure and blackmail. While the North Atlantic Alliance continued to expand despite our protests and concerns. Her military machine is moving and, as I said, is approaching our very border. “